New School Hall Honours Ms. Francine Gardner

By Nadiyah Abdul-Jabbar

Over 150 government officials, educators, students, and community members gathered at Theoline McCoy Primary School on Wednesday, 26 February to officially open the Francine Gardner Hall. The event marked the completion of a vital infrastructure addition for the school and wider community, named in honour of Ms. Francine Gardner, a beloved educator whose decades-long contributions to education have left a lasting impact on generations of students and colleagues.

The Francine Gardner Hall will be a versatile space designed to host whole-school events like graduations, assemblies, dining, and sports. It features a stage, ample storage, and commercial-grade kitchen facilities to support large-scale catering needs.

Additionally, the hall will be available for public rental, offering a venue for community gatherings and events. Constructed to Category 5 hurricane standards, the hall can accommodate up to 600 people, serving as a shelter during emergencies.

Hon. Dwayne Seymour, Minister for Border Control, Labour & Culture, Sustainability & Climate Resiliency and Wellness, remarked, “This hall is more than just a building. It is a symbol of progress, unity, and preparedness for the future. Designed with the needs of both our school and the wider community in mind, this space will serve multiple essential functions that will strengthen Bodden Town in many ways.”

Family members of Ms. Gardner also joined the celebration, with her brother, Mr. Verdun Terry, sharing heartfelt words about the significant impact his sister had on him and the community.

“I am proud to be her older brother. Though we were close in age, she was also my mentor,” Mr. Terry said. “Francine, thank you for all that you have done—not just for me, but for our family and for the Department of Education Services. We truly consider this a milestone,” he reflected, recalling their shared experiences of attending school together.

The opening ceremony was filled with celebration and excitement as the community gathered to honour both the completion of this essential project and the incredible legacy of Ms. Francine Gardner.

In her closing remarks, Hon. Juliana O’Connor Connolly, Premier and Minister for Education, said, “This hall represents the perfect blend of heritage and innovation, and there is no more fitting individual for this facility to be named after than Ms. Francine Gardner. Ms. Gardner dedicated over 40 years to education, rising from classroom teacher to Deputy Chief Officer, exemplifying perseverance and resilience throughout her career. During her time in education, she was often referred to as ‘the archives’ due to her vast institutional knowledge and deep understanding of the history within the system.

Today is truly a historic day.”

About Francine Gardner

Ms. Francine Eleine Terry-Gardner had a distinguished 40-year career in education, teaching at East End Primary, Creek Primary, and Theoline McCoy Primary School (formerly Bodden Town Primary) where she also served as Principal. She later became the first Deputy Principal at Marie Martin Primary (formerly George Town Primary) and held roles as Assistant, Senior and Deputy Chief Education Officer for the Department of Education Services. After retiring in 2010, she continued to tutor, invigilate exams, and remain active in her community.

To learn more about Theoline McCoy Primary School, visit https://schools.edu.ky/tmps/ .